SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Goals from senior Erick Diaz and freshman Marcos Miranda, along with a first-half tap-in from senior Jose Almanza, powered the John Brown University men's soccer team to an important 3-1 victory over Science & Arts (Okla.) at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 5).
The Golden Eagles (6-0-4, 3-0-0 Sooner Athletic), now unbeaten in its first 10 matches of the 2024 season, set a new program record for the best start in the storied 47-year history, surpassing the 1991 team's 9-0-0 run. This unbeaten streak also stands as the longest since 2019, when JBU won 11 consecutive matches.
Crucially, JBU completed the first third of the league table unscathed, with goalkeeper Kyle Hix, who made four saves—including three in the second half—improving his record to 3-0-3 on the season.
Diaz, finding the back of the net for the third consecutive match, opened the scoring in the 18th minute for his third goal of the season. A counter-attack, sparked by Miranda winning possession at midfield, saw the ball advanced to freshman Alejandro Gallardo. Gallardo slipped a perfectly weighted pass between three defenders to Diaz, who rounded Drovers' goalkeeper Angel Diaz and coolly slotted the ball into an empty net.
The home side doubled its lead in the 29th minute when Diaz turned playmaker. After stealing the ball from a USAO defender in the attacking third, Diaz—who leads the squad with six assists—laid it off to Gallardo, who delivered a one-touch pass to an open Miranda. The sophomore calmly placed his shot to the far right post, notching his first career game-winning goal and putting the Golden Eagles firmly in control.
With the 2-0 lead, Gallardo recorded his first career multi-assist effort. The Golden Eagles' leading scorer now boasts six goals and five assists (17 points) through his first 10 collegiate appearances.
Just before the half, the Golden Eagles struck again. Off a booming kick from Hix deep into Drover territory, freshman Amaury Jarry capitalized on a defensive error, winning the ball near the corner. Jarry quickly turned and delivered a driven pass directly to senior Jose Almanza, left unmarked for a simple tap-in in the 44th minute, pushing the score to 3-0.
Science & Arts (4-4-3, 1-1-1 SAC) managed to pull a goal back late in the match, with Fabian Romero scoring in the 87th minute, but it was too little too late.
John Brown outshot the Drovers 14-7, with eight of those shots on target compared to USAO's five. The Golden Eagles also earned four corner kicks while limiting the Drovers to just three.
John Brown will look to continue its incredible run when they face defending conference champions Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Tuesday night (Oct. 8) at Dill Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., with coverage available on the SAC Sports Network for a fee.
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